Download Addresses climate change adaptation by tasking the sustainability coordinator to create initial reports identifying expected climate impacts. Tasks the Office of Planning with establishing and implementing strategic climate adaptation plans and policy recommendations based on reports from sustainability coordinator. Establishes an interagency climate council with the task of implementing a general state policy to address climate change through 2050. Appropriates funds for staffing and resources. Effective July 1, 2014.

House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection
Thursday, February 6, 2014 at 8:40 AM
By
Charles H. Fletcher, Associate Dean
School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
HB 1714 – RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Chair Lee, Vice Chair Thielen, and Members of the House Committee assembled:
The University of Hawaiʻi is in favor of HB 1714, which establishes an interagency
climate council with the task of implementing a general state policy to address climate
change through 2050.
Climate change has become a dangerous, socially disruptive reality that threatens the
future sustainability of life in the Hawaiian Islands. By developing an interagency climate
council to implement a general state policy to address climate change, you will be taking
a strong step toward achieving maximum protection of public health and safety as well
as protection of natural resources for future generations.
I suggest that the effort place an initial focus on sea level rise as the most urgent impact
for us to address while building a framework of research, planning and coordination to
address other impacts. The focus on SLR also fulfills the intent of HB1512, which
needs to be coordinated with this legislation.